Tag Archives: book launch

I, Spy is here!

It’s June 5—the official launch date for I, Spy!

I, Spy is available on Amazon, Kobo, and here on my site!

ISpy_CVR_LRG

Okay, I’ve inundated you with enough about the book, so I’ll just say you can read more about I, Spy and add it on Goodreads!

Today’s clues!

We’ve got three more stops on our launch tour today, and three more clues for our inspiration song mystery!

Marnee Bailey, Romance Writers’ RevengeMr. Nice Spy (Also: using your spy skills to figure out what your kids are up to!)

Kathleen BrebesI, Spy

RhondaI, Spy

Cami CheckettsMr. Nice Spy

TBR Tuesday: A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver

This Saturday, I’m throwing a launch party along with fellow debut author Donna K. Weaver at the Orem (Utah) Public Library. Come join us! We’ll have reading, signing, books, freebies & prizes—and a self-defense demo with Sensei Kim and Sensei Kristi! (And don’t forget: today’s song clues are at the end of the post!)

a-change-of-plansBut today, I’m part of the blog tour for Donna’s book, A Change of Plans! (Remember the cover reveal?)

When twenty-five-year-old Lyn sets off on her cruise vacation, all she wants is to forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. What she plans is a diversion uncomplicated by romance. What she gets is Braedon, an intriguing young surgeon. He’s everything her fiancé wasn’t, and against the backdrop of the ship’s make-believe world, her emotions come alive.

Unaware of the sensitive waters he navigates, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship-on the very anniversary Lyn came on the cruise to forget. Lyn’s painful memories are too powerful, and she runs off in a panic.

But it’s hard to get away from someone when you’re stuck on the same ship. Things are bad enough when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise’s snorkeling excursions. Then paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped, and Lyn’s fear of a fairy tale turns grim.

I received an ARC of A Change of Plans, and I got to read it last week. As I read the first part of the book, following Braedon and Lyn on the cruise, I enjoyed the romance so much that I really wanted to write a romance (which is funny, because I don’t particularly like writing the warm fuzzy stuff, and that’s exactly what I wanted to write). Donna reminded me of how much fun the first phases of a romance can be.

And then, just when you think the story’s over, you find one twist after another. She definitely kept me guessing!

The publisher provided me with a free copy of A Change of Plans in exchange for a fair and honest review.

There’s also a giveaway as part of the blog tour!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Find it: Amazon | B&N | Goodreads | Rhemalda Store

Today’s clues!

You’ll find today’s blog tour stops—and clues for the inspiration song contest!—with:

Donna K. Weaver—I know, right?! – I, Spy (Also: using spy skills on a desert island!)

Bonnie HarrisI, Spy (Also: an I, Spy extra inspired by Bonnie!)

Jinky is ReadingI, Spy (Also: a giveaway!)

Carolyn FrankMr. Nice Spy (Also: using spy skills with time travel!)

The I, Spy inspiration song contest!

Friday, I shared the story of how a song inspired my novel I, Spy (out this week in case you missed it! 😉 ). This week, as part of the blog launch tour for I, Spy and Mr. Nice Spy, I’m holding a contest to guess the song behind the novel (and novella)!

How to enter

At each stop on the blog tour, I’ll share one clue about the novel or novella’s inspiration song. You will most likely need more than one clue to figure out the answer.

Use your spy skills to piece together the clues to figure out the song and artist, then email me at contest (at) jordanmccollum.com with your answer! Entries must be received by 11:59 PM MDT 13 June 2013.

Every correct entry will be entered in a random drawing—one each for the novel and novella—to be announced on my blog June 14.

The Prizes!

The winner of each drawing (one for the novel and one for the novella) will receive a $25 Amazon gift card.

Rules, etc.

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN GIVEAWAYS. A PURCHASE WON’T IMPROVE AN INDIVIDUAL’S CHANCE OF WINNING.

1. You can’t win both prizes. Sorry.

2. Open internationally—if you can get on Amazon, you can use the prize, so you can win the prize. (Gift card amount is in US dollars.)

3. A limit of one entry is allowed per e-mail address, per contest. You may not enter each contest more than once, whether or not you use a different e-mail address. Subsequent entries determined to be submitted with the same email address or from the same individual using multiple email addresses may be declared ineligible. (So you can enter both contests one time each, but not more than one entry in each contest.)

4. A prize number will be assigned to your entry upon receipt of your entry. A winning number will be generated using Random.org on or shortly after the Entry Deadline Date. If your Prize Number matches the Winning Number, and you meet the eligibility requirements and otherwise comply with these Official Giveaway Rules, you win the prize.

5. I will send the Amazon Gift Card to the address used on your entry within three (3) days after the Entry Deadline Date if you win the prize. (An Amazon Gift Card can be applied to any account, so the email doesn’t have to match the address you use at Amazon.)

6. ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAXES ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECEIPT OF ANY PRIZE ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WINNER.

7. Winner may not substitute the prize for any other prize or for cash.

8. Entry in the contest constitutes permission to use winner’s name and prize information for promotional purposes in any medium, except where prohibited by law, without further payment or other consideration. (I’m gonna announce your name on this blog.)

9. The giveaway may be canceled, suspended and/or modified, in whole or in part, if in my opinion any fraud, technical failure or other factor beyond its control impairs the integrity of the giveaway.

10. By entering the giveaway through this website, you release Jordan McCollum from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the giveaway or delivery, misdelivery or acceptance of any prize (including, without limitation, claims, costs, injuries, losses and damages related to personal injuries, death, damage to or destruction of property, rights of publicity or privacy, defamation or portrayal in a false light, whether intentional or unintentional), whether under a theory of contract, tort (including negligence), warranty or other theory.

Today’s clues!

You can find today’s clues at our blog tour stops! Today’s stops also feature quick, fun vlogs about putting your spy skills to the ultimate test: real life.

Julie Coulter BellonMr. Nice Spy (Also: using your spy skills to enjoy sweets without having to share with your kids!)

Renae MackleyI, Spy (Also: using your spy skills to convince someone the car you’re driving isn’t stolen!)

M. R. ButtarsI, Spy (Also: using your spy skills to escape annoying relatives!)

The inspiration behind I, Spy—Contest!

This is the second most unusual story inspiration source I’ve ever had. (The first was a commercial for a TV show.)

It was the day before Valentine’s Day. I remember this very well because it’s Peter Tork’s birthday I was shopping for valentines when it hit me. Yep, right there in the middle of the Dollar Tree, inspiration struck. (What? Where do you buy your last-minute 50¢ Valentines?)

Dollar Tree

The piped music in the store turned to an old favorite of mine. As I browsed the valentines bopping along, I started thinking more deeply about the lyrics. The story behind the song is about a guy who wanted more of a relationship with this girl, but totally got “friend zoned.”

I imagined a guy sitting in a restaurant, checking his watch, waiting and wondering. Since it was Valentine season, I thought, What if the girl actually did like him? Wouldn’t that be tragic? What would keep this friend-girl from being there like a girlfriend?

And then my favorite what-if question popped up: what if she were a spy?

Bam. A whole scenario popped into my head (that now makes up almost a quarter of the book). I pulled out my brand new smartphone to make a note—and saw the reminder that my son was getting out of kindergarten early that day. As in right then.

With long lines at all the check stands, my only choice was to ditch the valentines and drag my daughters to the car to pick up my son. Fortunately, the Dollar Tree wasn’t far from his school, and I got there a little early. With those spare minutes, I pulled out my phone again and jotted down a note in my Evernote app so I’d have it when I got on my computer (as if I’d forget):

first note

Notice the black bars? The original title of the project came from the name of the inspiration song, and the Evernote folder and the folder on my computer were the initials from that title. (Still are, in fact, though by the time I started writing I, Spy just shy of four weeks later, I’d changed to that title.)

I have never revealed the name of that song to anyone outside my family and critique group. And honestly, most of them don’t know it, either.

CONTEST CLOSED (but you can find the clues if you’re in my readers group!)
So here’s the contest! As part of my launch blog tour, each I, Spy stop will have a clue about the song that inspired the book! Mr. Nice Spy stops, not to be left out, have clues to another song, which I first heard immediately after finishing the first draft, and immediately claimed as the theme song for the novella.Look for the prizes, full rules, and first clues on Monday!

Oh, and since I know you’re wondering, we went back to the Dollar Tree and found my stack of chosen valentines.

Two fun bits of good news!

I’ve been reaching out to book bloggers, and I have to say Whit of Whit’s Book World wins the speed record! I contacted her yesterday to offer the book, she accepted and I sent it—and today she’s posted her review! I’m so excited! And nervous. Even though I’ve already read the review. Still nervous.

Yay. Another writer neurosis.

Another bit of good news from my email lately: the Orem Public Library, where my friend Donna Weaver and I are holding our book launch, has made up a poster to promote the event!

spiesandpiratesoremposter

Come join us!

Join the I, Spy/Mr. Nice Spy launch blog tour!

It might be the most fun you’ve ever had on a blog tour! Yep, in addition to my real-life launch party with Donna K. Weaver, I’m also doing an online launch, and I’d love to have you join the party!

I swear up and down, this blog will not be all about my books. I will still blog about writing craft and other writerly stuff! But I do need to use this blog for my books, too.

MrNiceSpy_CVR_LRG ISpy_CVR_LRG

Okay with that disclaimer out of the way, I’m looking for blogs to take part in the book launch tour for I, Spy and Mr. Nice Spy June 3 – 7! I’ll link to your blog from mine for that day, as well as a static page on my site listing all the participants. Each post will be part of a contest, so you should get even more traffic.

FAQ

What do I have to do?
Fill out the form below and wait. I’ll confirm your date, and then two days beforehand, I’ll send you the post materials.

Will I have to read or have read your book?
Nope! If you want to read it and review it, that’s great, but I’m not going to ask that of you.

Isn’t that weird?
Nah.

Agh, my blog is already booked for all those days, but I want to help! What do I do?
You can click “other” and give me a day/range of days you have free, and we’ll work something out.

What will I get out of it?
Um, my gratitude? Good karma? A free post that you don’t have to think up and write? And I’ll have a freebie for your readers. They’ll love you for it, right? Love fest!

Form

Any questions or concerns? Shoot.

Spies & Pirates Book Launch Party!

If you’ve been on my Facebook page recently, you’ve probably seen a bit about my upcoming book launch party! Donna K. Weaver and I are celebrating our debut novels together!

mini poster

Come join us for readings, a self-defense demo with Sensei Kristi & Sensei Kim, book signings, and light refreshments! (Yes, there’s food. I know, I wouldn’t go unless there was food, too.) And yes, we will have copies of our books for sale!

Marketing 101: When do I start?

This entry is part 5 of 8 in the series Marketing 101

So, now that we’ve established that we’re designing marketing strategies instead of aimlessly using disparate tactics and touting the emotional benefits of our novels, let’s talk about when we need to start marketing. The answer is pretty simple: today. And also tomorrow.

Before you sell a book

Before you sell your first book, you can begin marketing. A lot of that marketing will be in the form of query letters, pitches and other interactions with publishing professionals. But once you’re ready to query, you’re ready to market the one thing you do have: yourself.

While I do know people who have had editors approach them based on the excerpts on their websites/blogs, most of our audience before we have a book (or a deal) won’t be agents and editors. You definitely need to make your online presence professional, especially if you mention your site in your query or email signature—but you also want to keep in mind your audience, often other writers.

One way to do this, obviously, is a blog. You do NOT have to blog about writing unless you really want to (I did and I do). But when you’re ready to enter publishing, a blog is a great way to start putting yourself out there, making yourself known. We’ll be talking more about blogging soon, but one more note before we change the subject: I also recommend approaching blogging before a book deal as a way of networking. Make friends with other writers! Aside from not feeling like a lonely schizoid, you can help and get help from writer friends in strengthening writing craft, finding critique partners, researching and just having fun.

If you feel your writing is ready to submit to agents and editors, then it’s probably ready to put a sample up on your site, too. Because that’s what it’s all about, right? However, you don’t have to treat your blog audience as potential book buyers. They may or may not be—and before you have a book, they won’t be.

When you have a book!

Whether you’re going with a traditional publisher or self-publishing, marketing a book falls pretty heavily on the author’s shoulders.

Naturally, once you have a book in the works, you want to start working on promotional plans. Of course, with a traditional publisher, you will probably have a long lead time—and even you will probably get tired of hearing about your book by the time it comes out if you spend a year or two in hard sell mode. It’s a weird state of limbo—and where I find myself now. My biggest marketing activity right now is polishing up my strategies and tactics for sometime next year. But whenever I can share some good news about the process—a release date, turning in edits, a cover—of course you know I will!

But as your real live release date gets closer, you’ll want to start putting your bigger plans in action. A couple years ago at the LDStorymakers writing conference, author Heather B. Moore recommended this timeline for marketing an upcoming release:

6 months before release: get endorsements—blurbs on the book and on your website (yes, even before the book comes out)

4–6 months before release: line up newspaper reviewers and prominent blog reviewers for a national release and get those ARCs out ASAP

3 months before release: line up reviewers—newspapers and blogs—for regional releases

1-2 months before release: schedule launch events and book signings

Also prepare your marketing materials (bookmarks, fliers, postcards, etc.) well in advance! Check on your printer’s schedule and allow plenty of lead time to have your materials in your hands (or in bookstores) when your book gets there, or a few weeks before.

When your book releases:

  • Get books to remaining reviewers (some don’t want ARCs)
  • Hold a book launch at bookstore, library or other location that is related to your book
  • Issue a press release (you MUST hit on something unique and interesting—AKA a hook—to have any hope of getting this published) or a news item—line up writer friends to feature your announcement in their newsletters
  • Schedule future book signings—talk to store owners

Now, this timeline is built for a traditional publishing schedule. If you’re self-publishing, you don’t necessarily have to wait 6 months to drum up interest first—but starting your marketing 3-4 months before your release (a bare minimum of one month) is definitely a good idea to help get your name and your book out there.

You don’t want to pour too much promotion effort into a book that might not ever see the light of day, and you don’t want to overwhelm the good information and content on your blog with self-promotion—but there’s most lkely something for you to market right now, whether that’s yourself or your upcoming release.

What do you think? When did or will you start your marketing?

Photo credits: handshake—Lea Hernandez; calendar—Tanakawho